This article was written by Melanie Gow.

Software is expensive. Schools have budgets. Educational software is also expensive. Schools buy educational software. Which means schools have budgets for educational software. And so they should. There are many excellent products out there, each adding their own flavour of value to varying aspects of the academic environment. But are these resources being fully maximised?

How many schools would spend R20,000 upgrading the cricket pitch and then not appoint a coach for the team? So why do schools spend R20,000 on software and then not appoint a coach or even a team? The groundsman takes care of the pitch, but does not necessarily coach the team, in the same way that the IT Administrator oversees the computer room, but does not necessarily drive the software. So who uses, implements and grows the use of this investment? I suggest forming a “Software” team …

“Kamp Staaldraad” took the country by storm and received heavy criticism. While I am not advocating such drastic measures, I am intending to make a point – invest in your investment and it will work harder for you.

“Kamp Staaldraad” was implemented as part of the Springbok’s training/team building. Aimed at maximising a Nations’ invest in their chosen team. The result – plus a few other strategies? A world class team.

“Kamp Komputer-Kamer” could achieve maximum use of a school’s investment the following way:

1. Appoint a team of teachers (perhaps a representative from each grade/learning area) to meet once a week in the computer room.
2. This forms part of their extra-mural activities. While the teachers are in the computer room, it is available for learners to do research, remedial or homework tasks.
3. The teachers use this time to familiarise themselves with the software available and plan ways to implement it into their teaching.
4. They coordinate and educate the other members of staff and delegate various tasks to assist with this. Sharing is caring, especially when all will benefit.

The result: Maximum use of resources, integration between IT and curriculum. Value and  not volume from your software.

So why wait? Choose a team and get cracking!

software